For purposes of diplomatic missions to Western Europe and Russia, Li Hongzhang (Zhongtang being a term of respect for a vizier or prime minister) employed in 1896 political lyrics combined with classical Chinese music—later known as "The Tune of Li Zhongtang" (李中堂樂).

金殿當頭紫閣重，
仙人掌上玉芙蓉，
太平天子朝天日，
五色雲車駕六龍。

With a golden palace above his head, and fold upon fold of purple pavilions,
Like a jadehibiscus on the palm of an immortal,
The Son of Heaven of Perfect Peace pays homage to the sun in the sky,
Riding on a five-coloured car of cloud pulled by six dragons.

After the Department of Army was established in 1906, it became the army song, and had been played at formal occasions overseas.

於斯萬年，
亞東大帝國！
山嶽縱橫獨立幟，
江河漫延文明波；
四百兆¹民神明冑，
地大物產博。
揚我黃龍帝國徽，
唱我帝國歌！

Here for ten thousand years,
Great Empire of East Asia!
The criss-crossing mountains stand alone,
The wide-spreading rivers are the waves of the civilization;
Four hundred million¹ people under the auspice of the gods,
The land is large and the produce great.
Wave my yellow dragon emblem of the Empire,
Sing the song of our Empire!

¹兆 usually means one trillion (1012), but it could mean one million (106), and should have that value here in the song for factual accuracy. See Chinese numerals for details.

After the establishment of the provisional government in Nanjing, the Ministry of Education under Cai Yuanpei asked the public for possible anthem (as well as coat of arm), and the one whose lyrics was written by Shen Enyun (沈恩孕) and music by Shen Pengnian (沈彭年) was released as a draft in the newspaper. It was called the Song of Five Races under One Union (五旗共和歌)

亞東開化中國早，
揖美追歐，
舊邦新造。

飄揚五色旗，
民國榮光，
錦繡山河普照。

我同胞，
鼓舞文明，
世界和平永保。

Yà dōng kāihuà zhōngguó zǎo,
yī měi zhuī ōu,
jiù bāng xīnzào.

Piāoyáng wǔsè qí,
mínguó róngguāng,
jǐnxiù shānhé pǔzhào.

Wǒ tóngbāo,
gǔwǔ wénmíng,
shìjiè hépíng yǒngbǎo.

China, earliest civilization of East Asia,
Admiring America and chasing Europe,
The old nation is under new construction.

The five-coloured flag flutters,
The glory of the Republic
shines over our beautiful mountain and rivers.

My compatriots,
let us sing for civilization.
The universal peace will forever be protected.

Also called "Patriotic Song" (愛國歌), "How Great is Our China!" (泱泱哉，我中華！) has lyrics written by Liang Qichao and music by overseas Chinese in Datong School (大同學校), Yokohama. Released in 1912, it was widespread especially among students.

How great is our China!
The largest nation of the largest continent.
Twenty-two administered provinces are one family.
Rich products and fertile land are the first in the world.
Calling this strong nation heaven on earth is not boasting.Don't you see: Britain and Japan, only three islands, still prosper.
How much more our great China?

Join as one body.
Excite our spirit.
In this new world of the twentieth century,
Strongly soar among fellow mankind of the universe.

On April 8, 1913, the national anthem used in opening ceremony of the 1st regular council, the last line is added by Wang Baorong (汪宝荣), others lines are from Shang Shu, and set to music by Jeans Hautstont.

卿雲爛兮﹑
糺¹縵縵兮﹐
日月光華﹐
旦復旦兮。
時哉夫，天下非一人之天下也。

How bright is the Auspicious Cloud!
How broad is the brilliancy!
The light is spectacular with sun or moon.
How it revives dawn after dawn!
Now, the country isn't one man's country.

China heroically stands in Universe,
Extends to the Eight Corners,
The famous descendant from Kunlun Peak.
The rivers turn greatly, the mountains continuous.
Five nationalities open up the sky of Yao,
For millions of myriads of years.

Written by officers of the Whampoa Military Academy, The "Revolution of the Citizens" Song (國民革命歌 Guomin Geming Ge), sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques (commonly known as "Two Tigers" in China)," was released on July 1, 1926.